Dual Steenrod algebra
In algebraic topology, through an algebraic operation (dualization), there is an associated commutative algebra[1] from the noncommutative Steenrod algebras called the dual Steenrod algebra. This dual algebra has a number of surprising benefits, such as being commutative and provided technical tools for computing the Adams spectral sequence in many cases (such as [2]pg 61-62) with much ease.
Definition
Recall[2]pg 59 that the Steenrod algebra (also denoted ) is a graded noncommutative Hopf algebra which is cocommutative, meaning its comultiplication is cocommutative. This implies if we take the dual Hopf algebra, denoted , or just , then this gives a graded-commutative algebra which has a noncommutative comultiplication. We can summarize this duality through dualizing a commutative diagram of the Steenrod's Hopf algebra structure:
If we dualize we get maps
giving the main structure maps for the dual Hopf algebra. It turns out there's a nice structure theorem for the dual Hopf algebra, separated by whether the prime is or odd.
Case of p=2
In this case, the dual Steenrod algebra is a graded commutative polynomial algebra where the degree . Then, the coproduct map is given by
sending
where .
General case of p > 2
For all other prime numbers, the dual Steenrod algebra is slightly more complex and involves a graded-commutative exterior algebra in addition to a graded-commutative polynomial algebra. If we let denote an exterior algebra over with generators and , then the dual Steenrod algebra has the presentation
where
In addition, it has the comultiplication defined by
where again .
Rest of Hopf algebra structure in both cases
The rest of the Hopf algebra structures can be described exactly the same in both cases. There is both a unit map and counit map
which are both isomorphisms in degree : these come from the original Steenrod algebra. In addition, there is also a conjugation map defined recursively by the equations
In addition, we will denote as the kernel of the counit map which is isomorphic to in degrees .
See also
References
- Milnor, John (2012-03-29), "The Steenrod algebra and its dual", Topological Library, Series on Knots and Everything, WORLD SCIENTIFIC, Volume 50, pp. 357–382, doi:10.1142/9789814401319_0006, ISBN 978-981-4401-30-2, retrieved 2021-01-05
- Ravenel, Douglas C. (1986). Complex cobordism and stable homotopy groups of spheres. Orlando: Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-08-087440-1. OCLC 316566772.